An Identity Approach to Second Language Acquisition

This chapter makes the case for a comprehensive theory of identity in second language acquisition (SLA) that places the individual learner in the social world, as well as addresses how social relations of power and inequality affect the language learning process. The poststructuralist theorising of language, subjectivity, and investment which underpins an identity approach is outlined as well as approaches to researching identity and SLA. Both earlier foundational and more recent research taking an identity approach are reviewed, and the implications for pedagogy are considered. The chapter ends with a discussion of future directions focusing on identity and translanguaging as well as identity and new materialism.